Hobson is the punters choice in opener

He jumped brilliantly for the first part of the race. He had Ruby looking for a long one at the third last and he asked him but the horse didn't respond and galloped through it. He was lucky not to fall. I think Ruby left him alone at the second last but the horse had lost his confidence at that stage. At the last I think he just wanted to get to the other side. We held him up the first day and it didn't suit him. A lot of those horses from the flat can be very free, and today we decided if no one else wanted to make the running that we would make it. We thought he had plenty of stamina. We have been doing a lot of schooling with him in behind other horses and he's not great but he's learning all the time. It's just a matter of experience.

Lilly has the heart of a Lion

She didn't jump as well as she normally does but she was coming from a run over fences. She's tough and she galloped to the line. I'm delighted for the owner Pat McCarthy who is a proper gentleman. Mark gave her a brilliant ride and she's a tough gutsy mare. I thought I'd missed my chance in this race last year and it's great to get a second chance. She's first reserve in a flat race here tomorrow and is in on Friday in a 2m2f handicap hurdle. That's my first winner as a trainer here although I did ride a winner here.

Bomb has the Power off light weight

I thought he had a right chance off a mark of 103. He works well at home but it was just a question of putting everything together. The hood has helped him and kept him nice and relaxed beforehand. Jerry McGrath said he was travelling well when he was brought down at Down Royal, and I thought the two and a half miles would suit him. He's won at Sligo and this is a similar track. He was my first winner when winning in Sligo and it's almost 12 months to the day. It's been an up and down year but to win in Galway is fantastic. The owners are fairly local and have been with me since day one. My Dad passed away during the year and was a great supporter of mine so he might have had something to do with it. His own horse runs on Sunday so we're looking for the double.

Weld & Maguire Inspire again

He stays well and was the right horse for the race. He should make a lovely four-year-old. He has a good action and the ground is drying. He had two very good runs and should progress as the year goes on. He's a big baby still and will be a lovely horse next year. He could be a very good staying horse.

Shanahan's gets his Turn in Plate

It was a super ride from Jonny. The horse was deadly, and jumped brilliant the whole way. I hoped if he came back to his autumn form that he had a squeak but he was disappointing recently. I'm delighted for Alan and Ann Potts€™. Ann is in hospital at the moment so this will be a good tonic for her. My father (Harry) was just touched off in a Plate many years ago with Bishops Hall so it’s good to put the record straight. I always felt he was a graded horse. He won his Grade 2, it probably wasn't the greatest Grade 2 but he won it. Then he hit soft ground and we made a couple of mistakes with him. We know him now. €œHe could go for the race Europe won the last few years at Gowran and hopefully he can develop into a Grade 1 horse. €œIt was brave of Jonny to do that and let him roll. I was delighted when I saw him do it, win, lose or draw. The jockeys tell me what they are thinking before the race and unless I completely disagree with them I let them off as they are top riders. €œI was delighted with Sadler's Risk. He stayed on really well and Andrew gave him a great ride. That was his first handicap and it was some run. His jumping early was a bit novicey. We're a little tied with him as he doesn't go left-handed so the Kerry National is out but there are plenty more good races.

King swoops late on Bouncer

Connor is an exceptional rider. We seen him time one well yesterday and he did it again there. I thought he was booked for a place but knew he would be coming home. He's a pacey horse and Connor did a great job from stall 16. It's very hard to do. He had plenty of ability this lad. I was running him on the wrong ground. He needs a little ease, not extremes. He won't let himself down on firm and can't handle heavy. He's in on Saturday back over seven. Seven won't bother him as he has plenty of pace and travels well.

Sacrificial scores for Lyons & Keane

Boherbuoy upsets hot-pot in the finale